I do not succumb to pressure... I never learned to...
At 18, when Justin Trudeau spoke these words on his college campus, confidence radiated from him. A confident and privileged Trudeau would find that future pressures demanded a steep price. Once among the most popular leaders with his charisma and feminist appeal, he left his prime ministerial role amid heightened criticism.
It's astonishing how Justin mirrored his father, Pierre Trudeau's, political trajectory. Both enjoyed global fame yet faced harsh takedowns, their political arcs seeming to surge and falter in parallel.
Starting from birth, politics lay in Justin Trudeau's destiny, born at 24 Sussex Drive—Canada’s official PM residence in 1971 amidst global Christmas spirit. He inherited his father’s allure and stature.
Source: aajtak
In a country where political dynasties are rare, Justin emerged as a Canadian leader following in his father's footsteps. Their lives reflected uncanny parallels, both reaching political peaks and encountering downfalls in similar manners.
Pierre Trudeau is a towering name among Canadian prime ministers, celebrated for his intellect, passion for languages, and civil rights advocacy. He was a maverick, not shying from unconventional approaches. But shadows from his fervent career eventually loomed large.
Pierre rose rapidly, from MP in 1965 to prime minister by 1968, steering Canada until 1979, and again from 1980 to 1984. As leader or opposition, he sharply critiqued governance whenever away from the helm.
Such was Pierre’s allure that “Trudeaumania” swept the nation. Robert Wright’s book,
Trudeaumania: The Rise to Power of Pierre Elliott Trudeau
, highlights Pierre’s distinct style, daring Canadians to vote alternatively if they disagreed with him, echoing his directness akin to JFK.
Is the Trudeau family Khalistanis’ sympathizers?
Last year, Justin Trudeau ignited global uproar in parliament accusing an Indian agent of assassinating Khalistani Hardeep Singh Nijjar. This incident invited scrutiny on the family's sympathies for Khalistani separatists, dating back to Pierre’s era.
In the early 1980s, Pierre faced criticism for being lenient towards Khalistani supporters. In 1982, he dismissed India’s request to extradite Talwinder Singh, a wanted terrorist.
Source: aajtak
Veteran journalist Terry Milewski documented Canada’s accommodating stance towards Khalistani activists over four decades.
Canada's soft approach toward Khalistan has consistently irked Indian leaders. Despite India’s Prime Minister Indira Gandhi urging Talwinder Singh’s extradition in 1982, Canada remained indifferent, leading to the 1985 Air India bombing, largely implicating Canadian citizens, staining Pierre’s reputation.
Soft on Khalistan but hard on Quebec?
Present-day Khalistani separatism mirrors Quebec's nationalist movements of the 1970s. Yet, Pierre opposed Quebec’s independence fervently, playing a significant role in the 1980 referendum that favored staying within Canada.
Why did Pierre resist Quebec’s independence?
Having been born and raised in Quebec, Pierre resisted its separation from Canada, believing division would invite trouble for the nation.
Quebec remains a province with a long-standing demand for independence, holding referendums in 1980 and 1995, yet seeing no outcome.
Justin-Trudeau vs. Trump: Echoes of Pierre-Nixon
Since Donald Trump’s presidential win, his tactics have constantly vexed Justin Trudeau—threats of tariffs, suggesting Canada as the 51st state, employing pressuring politics. Yet, such tensions aren’t new.
Source: aajtak
Justin’s father, Pierre Trudeau shared a similarly abrasive rapport with US President Richard Nixon, who disparaged Pierre with derogatory terms. Pierre likened spending time with Nixon to roaming with a wild elephant.
Despite his charisma, opposition within Pierre’s party grew, starting cautiously but escalating to force his resignation, extinguishing ambitions to conquer international politics through tumultuous domestic strife. Observers see Justin's career mirroring his father's turbulent journey.
In a revealing 2013 interview after leading the Liberal Party, Justin asserted, "I didn’t enter politics to follow my father’s formidable legacy, but to contribute positively on my terms, confident I’d bring fruitful change."
Source: aajtak
Trudeau acknowledged the burden of his father Pierre’s mistakes, admitting that people’s love or disdain due to his father didn’t define his identity, embracing the complexity of his family's political saga.
